Name of Hero: Mike “Chip” Chiapperini, Tomasz Kaczowka, Ted Scardino, and Joe Hofstetter

Hero City: Webster, NY

Submitted by: Nicki Ditch

On Christmas Eve of 2012, the West Webster Fire District was called to the scene of a car fire with exposure to the home.

Firefighter Joe Hofstetter responded to the scene in his personal vehicle. Firefighters Mike “Chip” Chiapperini and Ted Scardino arrived to the scene in the first-due fire truck and Firefighter Tomasz Kaczowka arrived in a squad car. These four volunteer firefighters answered a call to duty on Christmas Eve and all four were shot when they arrived on scene by a man who intentionally set the fire then laid in wait behind an earthen berm.

Ted and Joe were seriously wounded and Chip and Tomasz were killed, paying the ultimate sacrifice. A year later, the community is still deeply mourning our tragic loss of our brothers Chip and Tomasz and are so thankful for Ted and Joe’s recovery. Thank you so much for this beautiful song and video that portrays the heroic work emergency first responders do. May God richly bless you.

Name of Hero: Gregory Patrick

Hero City: Memphis, TN

Submitted by: Mary McKim

Several years before he became a Memphis Police Officer, Gregory Patrick was a college student and part-time martial arts instructor. On his way home one afternoon he saw a woman from Germantown being car jacked right in front of him.

The car jacker was armed and scared because he was running from the scene of a crime one short block away. While the would-be car jacker got the car, Greg was able to talk the car jacker into letting Greg get the woman out of the car and keep her safe. The car-jacker got away with the car, which was later recovered in another state but a nice senior citizen (the woman) was saved from what was shaping up to be a very dire and dangerous situation. She was protected all because Greg came to her rescue.

Greg made a conscious choice to stop the violence and defuse the situation and was able to talk the guy down and make the rescue without placing others at risk. He was amazing and deserves to be recognized. You can contact him through the Memphis Police Department. He and his wife have four (4) children and several grandchildren. Fine people and strong members of the community. Please give them recognition. They deserve it.

Hero City: Howell

Submitted by: Lucas VanWoert

We were responding to a call at a high school. we are the local Fire Department, while on scene two trucks were able to hold the fire at bay, but we still needed to evacuate the building. since two trucks (about 13 men) had it under control, the other units (including myself) responded to other calls on this busy night. One of our Lieutenants was the last to walk out of the building, on his way out, part of the ceiling caved in on his head. our paramedic responders couldnt get to him in time. the call came out Wednesday, September 11, 2013 @ 17:15 (9/11/2013 5:15pm). He lived and died a hero. The date claimed another great man

Name of Hero: Timothy (Tim)

Hero City: Wiggins

Submitted by: Kerrie

Tim is a hard working man who has devoted his time and strength to protecting his community. He is a volunteer firefighter and has made more calls than half the other volunteers.

He is willing to get up at one in the morning and go on a call. He has performed extraction by himself before and has received several different awards. He has been a volunteer firefighter for three years going on four in August. He has helped out the surrounding fire departments when they needed assistance.

Tim wants to be part of the Smoke jumper team someday. I know there are several people that risk their lives everyday; EMTs, Soilders, firefighters, and police people and I truly appreciate everything they do but I love Tim and I want to honor him and everything he has done for the community and everything he stands for! I love you babe and I know I don’t always say it but thank you! 🙂

Name of Hero: LaSalle Police, EMS And fire station

Hero City: LaSalle, On

Submitted by: Mackenzie

The men and women of the LaSalle Police, EMS And Fire Department are the most bravest, caring and selfless people I know.

To my boys at The Fire Dept, thank you so much for putting it all on the line to keep us safe. I mean you too Daddy.

To the Police, thank you for always knowing what to do, for responding to calls no matter what and for never ever giving up.

To the EMS, thank you for always getting there at the right time and for being there to save a life.

These people are the ones I’m proud to say I know. And I’m glad they are the ones protecting my town and my family.

I’m especially proud of my father, training officer and full time firefighter. Thank you all of you for guaranteeing our safety and for keeping us safe.

– Kenzie M